Building San Antonio: Water saved, water earned; it all begins at home

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Ask any visitor what they remember about San Antonio, and water — the River Walk — likely will be the answer. Ask a resident about water and San Antonio, and the aquifer level would be foremost in their mind.

San Antonio always has been synonymous with water, whether it is the aquifer, the River Walk, natural springs, or any of the many local water conservation initiatives. Commitment to the adage “Conservation is the cheapest source of water, for the water we save is the water we don’t have to buy,” has been a critical part of our city’s success story.

San Antonio residents have been very proactive toward their participation in various citywide conservation initiatives. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) distributed the same volume of water (over the same period of time) in 1987, as it did in 2007, with a 50 percent increase in customer base.

When you look at the sources of water usage inside the home, almost 60 percent goes toward the shower, toilet and bath, for daily hygiene needs. Water leaks account for almost 12 percent of total household water consumption. So how do we continue to be passionate stewards of our water?

Homeowners can begin by performing a simple water audit by a SAWS conservation expert. This free audit will identify any problems with water loss and suggest more effective ways to conserve water. SAWS’ Kick the Can program encourages homeowners to replace old toilets with new water-efficient toilets. The Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program’s water efficiency label covers faucets, high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, bathroom sink faucets and weather-based irrigation controllers. Clothes washers, dishwashers, water softeners and prerinse spray valves will also be included under the WaterSense program. (For more information, go to
www.epa.gov/watersense.)

Homeowners with a new, WaterSense-labeled home usually reduce water usage by 20 percent, with an annual utility bill savings of up to $600. For an average family of four, that’s a savings of more than 50,000 gallons of water a year — enough to wash 2,000 loads of laundry.

For outdoor water use, landscaping should be designed with no more than 40 percent turf. SAWS’ 7 Step Program to plan a WaterSaver Landscape demonstrates a xeriscape solution. (For more information, go to www.saws.org/conservation and click on How You Can Help and then 7 Steps To Xeriscaping.)

Experts estimate that almost 50 percent of water is wasted due to overwatering. WaterSense-labeled irrigation controllers perform like a thermostat, turning on or off based on local weather and landscape conditions.

Taking advantage of the water-conservation initiatives offered by SAWS and the EPA WaterSense Program will allow San Antonio residents to continue to enjoy the benefits of our very precious commodity for both visitors and residents: water.